Quantifying nutrition’s influence on reproduction

A dairy cow’s nutrition program has a profound effect on reproductive success.

Although poor heat detection, insemination practices, diseases, toxins and other management-related problems can cause declines in reproductive performance, an inadequate ration with nutritional deficiencies and imbalances can be just as detrimental.

On the other hand, a properly balanced ration can have the opposite effect — help cows show heat, be bred and then be confirmed pregnant in a timely manner.

To understand nutrition’s influence on herd reproduction, the Dairy Reproduction Council recently asked two nutritionists about the ration's role in a successful reproduction program.